CA2185684A1 - Splice organizing apparatus - Google Patents
Splice organizing apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2185684A1 CA2185684A1 CA002185684A CA2185684A CA2185684A1 CA 2185684 A1 CA2185684 A1 CA 2185684A1 CA 002185684 A CA002185684 A CA 002185684A CA 2185684 A CA2185684 A CA 2185684A CA 2185684 A1 CA2185684 A1 CA 2185684A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- organizer
- support
- splice
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
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- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 45
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- 239000004606 Fillers/Extenders Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241001082241 Lythrum hyssopifolia Species 0.000 description 1
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- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4441—Boxes
- G02B6/4446—Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4441—Boxes
- G02B6/4442—Cap coupling boxes
Abstract
Apparatus for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice organizers in a closure comprises a frame and at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports located on the frame, each organizer support being arranged to support a stack of organizers. The frame may be elongate and the organizer supports may each support a stack of organizers which extends laterally with respect to theframe. The organizer supports may be in one or more pairs, the supports of each pair being arranged back-to-back.
Description
218568~
woss/2ss7s 1 r~. ~ c~ ~72 Splice Organizing Apparatus The present invention relates to apparatus for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice u. ~,alli ~t:., in a closure, a splice dosure, a kit of parts and a support for a stack of optical fibre splice ul~,al~.
Enclosing and organizing optical fibre splices has been carried out in a variety of different ways in an attempt to optimize ~rr~cqihilify of the splices, to simplify their I ~u- ~ i., l I and to improve the sealing of the splices fromthe ~ll\d~ulllll~llL. A widely used system of ul~,al~illg optical fibre splices involves the use of several splice u, ~alli4~ for example in the form of trays, cassettes or the like, each of which ~crnmmn~1~fr-c a number of splices, generally holding the splices in position, and normally also providing bend radius control fûr the optical fibres.
United States Patent No. 4359262 discloses an enclosure for optical fibre cable splices, rnmrricin~ two spaced apart end plates, a pair of spaced tie members ~ the end plates, and a plurality of elongate trays yyul ~d on the tie members and mounted one above another, each tray :~rrnmmnrl:~hn~ several splices. The trays are held on the tie members by means of one or more .t:~L.~ i. i..g members passing around the tie members and the trays.
United States Patent No. 4679896 discloses a tray assembly for organizing optical fibre splices, ~ an open channel shaped main frame having a bohtom wall and upwardly extending side walls. A number of splice hrays are removably carried in the main frame in vertically spaced, rr-l~hnnchir on threaded shuds extending vertically upwardly from the bohtom wall through openings in the trays. The trays are " ,~
in a pr~r~l~t~rminp~ vertically spaced rrl~tinnc~ir by bosses formed on the base of the main frame and about the openings in the hrays.
A rnnnr-rtin~ box for optical fibre cables is disclosed in United States Patent No. 49115~1. The rnnnrrtin~ box includes a plurality of container
woss/2ss7s 1 r~. ~ c~ ~72 Splice Organizing Apparatus The present invention relates to apparatus for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice u. ~,alli ~t:., in a closure, a splice dosure, a kit of parts and a support for a stack of optical fibre splice ul~,al~.
Enclosing and organizing optical fibre splices has been carried out in a variety of different ways in an attempt to optimize ~rr~cqihilify of the splices, to simplify their I ~u- ~ i., l I and to improve the sealing of the splices fromthe ~ll\d~ulllll~llL. A widely used system of ul~,al~illg optical fibre splices involves the use of several splice u, ~alli4~ for example in the form of trays, cassettes or the like, each of which ~crnmmn~1~fr-c a number of splices, generally holding the splices in position, and normally also providing bend radius control fûr the optical fibres.
United States Patent No. 4359262 discloses an enclosure for optical fibre cable splices, rnmrricin~ two spaced apart end plates, a pair of spaced tie members ~ the end plates, and a plurality of elongate trays yyul ~d on the tie members and mounted one above another, each tray :~rrnmmnrl:~hn~ several splices. The trays are held on the tie members by means of one or more .t:~L.~ i. i..g members passing around the tie members and the trays.
United States Patent No. 4679896 discloses a tray assembly for organizing optical fibre splices, ~ an open channel shaped main frame having a bohtom wall and upwardly extending side walls. A number of splice hrays are removably carried in the main frame in vertically spaced, rr-l~hnnchir on threaded shuds extending vertically upwardly from the bohtom wall through openings in the trays. The trays are " ,~
in a pr~r~l~t~rminp~ vertically spaced rrl~tinnc~ir by bosses formed on the base of the main frame and about the openings in the hrays.
A rnnnr-rtin~ box for optical fibre cables is disclosed in United States Patent No. 49115~1. The rnnnrrtin~ box includes a plurality of container
2 1 8~684 WO 95/25978 2 P~_l, ., ''~ 172 0 trays, eadh adapted to contain surplus lengths of end portions of optical fibres, the tradcs being stacked one upon another. The staclc of trays is secured to an elongate rnnnr-rtin~ plate, by the lowermost tray being fastened thereto by means of suitable fastening means such as screws. Eadh tray is hingedly connected to each adjacent tray at one lateral side thereof in a releasable manner.
United States Patent No. 5042901 discloses a v~/aL~ l;gl~L fibre optic splice dosure having a passage in an end wall whidh is dosed by a plug. A
prr-rnnn~rtr-cl optical connector sleeve is mounted to be accessible from the passage, so that an outside optical fibre may be connected to a drop fibre without ~ the closure. The splice dosure comprises an exterior cylindrical shell and disc-shaped end walls. Rectangular metal supporting bars provide internal support and grounding, and a splice tray is mounted on one of the supporting bars.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice i2,~1~ in a dosure, rnmrricin~
(a) a frame; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports located on the frame;
wherein each organizer support is arranged to support a stack of u~
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an optical fibre splice closure, ~u~
(a) apparatus aording to the first aspect of the invention; and (b) a housing to endose the apparatus.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice organizers in a dosure, rnmrricin~
(a) a frame, at least part of which is elongate; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports;
wherein eadh organizer support can be attadhed to the frame and can support a stack of ~lly,al~ so that the stack extends laterally, ~ r~ly 2 1 8568~
-_ wossl2ss78 3 r~ 72 sl1hs~n~i~11y perpendicularly, with respect to the frame or at ~east that part of the frame which is elongate.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for arranging one or more stad~s of optical fibre splice u. ~d~ . a in a dosure, comprising:
(a) a frame, at least part of which is elongate, the frame rr~mrricin~
means for locating at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports thereon; and (b) at least one optical fibre splice organizer support; wherein the or eadh organizer support can he attadhed to the frame and can support a stack of u~dl~a so that the stack extends laterally"u,~f~:,dbly ~ " l i~lly perpendicularly, with respect to the frame or at least that part of the frame which is elongate.
Any or all of the preferred features described below may comprise preferred features of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the invention.
The term 'frame' as used herein is intended generally to have its normal or plain meaning, and generally exdudes merely a housing of a dosure, as such. The term 'organizer' as used herein generally indudes trays, cassettes or the like and any other artide for holding, Ul ~;dl~i ,i--g or ~rrrlmm~ tin~ optical fibre splices and/or splitters and the like. A 'stack' of such u- ~;dlli~t~l a may, in some embodiments of the invention, comprise only one organizer, but it is preferred that a stack oomprises a plurality of Ul~;dl~:.a, normally arranged one on top of another.
The apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the optical fibre splice dosure according to the second aspect of the invention and the kit of parts according to the third aspect of the invention have an advantage in that, because at least two organizer supports are provided, and therefore at Ieast two stadks of optical fibre splice Ul~;dl~ la (referred to herein as 'UL~ la') may be arranged in the dosure, the ~rl~ccihilily of eadh organizer may be improved in ~ l ;c;- .. . to dosures in which the Ul~;dl~a are arranged in only one stack. This is because, when ul~ la are arranged in a stadk, it is normally necessary to lift off the "~ lllosL
u~d~ ~a in order to gain access to the lowermost organizers, for example, wo 9s/2~978 4 r~l ~. . 172 0 and for a given number of Uly,dlli~ in a closure, the number of V~
which need to be lifted off a lower organizer (or at least disturbed in some way) in order to gain access to the lower organizer may be atleast halved when the v. yjdlli~ l are arranged in only one shck. The invention may not only reduce the degree of skill and training required by field operatives who need to access the Ul~;al~ 7 (often referred to as 'craft ~ iLiviLy') and the length of time needed in order to gain such access, but it may also reduce the likelihood of damage or ~ of the optical fibres and splices.
An advantage of the kit of parts according to the fourth aSpect of the invention is that the kit may be used to arrange just one stack of organizers ina splice closure but with the possibility of adding extra organizer supports to the frame, and hence extra stacks of vl~.lr~l l later. This aspect, and indeed all aspects, of the invention, has the benefit of modularity, i.e. that stacks of Ul ~lllli 't:l ~ may normally be added to, and removed from, the frame as and when required, according to the number of optical fibre splices which need to be R. ~nmmn~l~tp,l In the kits of parts according to the third and fourth aspect of the invention, and according to a preferred PmhoflimPnt of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, at least part of the frame is elongate and each organizer support is arranged to, or can, support a stack of Vl~ l SO that the stack extends laterally, preferably suhst~nti~lly perpPn~ rly, with respect to the frame or at least with respect that part of the frame which is elongate. In a preferred PmhorlimPnt of the second aspect of the invention, both the frame and the housing are elongate, the frame being arranged to extend lr)n~ihlAin~lly within the housing. These aspects of the invention have an advantage in that optical fibres extending into the closure may normally be routed in a straight forward manner to their respective vl~alli~, especially when, for example, the frame extends in 5llhst~nti~lly the same direction as that in which the cables extend as they enter the splice closure. In addition, when the fra~ne is elongate Afl~litit~n~l organizer supports may often be added to the frame along its length, thereby providing modularity.
Preferably, at least one of the organizer supports is, or can be, oriented dirr~l~ l.Lly with respect to the frame than at least one of the other organizer 2 1 8568~
woss/2ss78 5 ~ C l72 supports, and is, or can be, thereby arranged to support a stack of U~;
which extends in a different direchon to that supported by the or earh other organizer support. This has an advantage in that it may provide optimum, or at least effective, utilisation of the space within the dosure while at the sametime dividing the ul~L.i~.-.a into a plurality of stacks (rather than having them arranged in a single stad~) and therefore also obtaining the first mPnhnnr-r~ advantage above, namely improved ~rrrcc;hility to each organizer. More ,ul~t~ bly, the, or at least two of the, organizer supports are,or can be, located at 5--hst~nhi~lly the same Inn~ihlAin~l position on the frame.
This also has the advantage of effective utilisation of space.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a pair of organizer supports are located, or locatable, at sl1hst~nti~lly the same Inn~ihlrlin~l position on the frame, each being arranged to support a stadk of u.~,c....~ which extends in the opposite direction to that supported by the other organizer support. This preferred stacking arrangement may be thought of as producing a single stack which is divided into two separate stacks, one on each side of the frame, and it therefore provides the advantages ..,.-,,1;...~r,.I above associated withreducing the number of Ul~,dLL12L-l~ in any given stack. Preferably, the organizer supports of the pair are arranged back to back, for example so that the supports are in contact with each other or so that they are separated only slightly, with the frame extending between them.
Adv~nt~en--cly, organizer supports of the invention which are arranged, or which can be arranged, back to back may co-operate to provide one or more channels to guide one or more optical fibres, preferably in one or more tubes, extending, in use, into the closure. Preferably, the, or at least one of the channels is formed, at least in part, by one or more projections provided by one organizer support are lnngihlr~in~lly spaced from the projection(s) provided by the other organizer support along the channel. The provision of one or more such channels by the Ll~ULU~ LrLiUlL of organizer supports may, for example, eliminate the need to provide guiding means on the frame andtor on the the housing of the dosure. This may simplify, and hence reduce the cost of, the . ~ l r," ~ process, parùcularly when, for example, the organizer supports are formed from moulded plastics material.
Preferably, the, or at least one of the, channels is arranged to g~ude optical fibres whidh are not spliced within the dosure.
... . . . .. . _ .... ..... . ........ . . .. ..
W0 9512~978 6 r~ 72 0 ~ AAihon~lly or alternatively, at least one of the organizer supports is provided with one or more retaining members arranged to retain one or more optical fibres, preferably in one or more hubes, which, in use, are spliced in at least one optical fibre splice orgar~izer supported by the said organizer support. Preferably, the or each retairling member is arranged s11hst~ntiAlly to surround the optical fibres (or the hube(s) holding the optical fibres) and has a slit to allow the optical fibres to be positioned therein, and more preferably, the slit is inclined to the direction in which the fibres extend, inuse, when they are in a relaxed state.
Preferred Pml~o~ , of the organizer supports of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention are novel per se, and ac.u. di~,ly, a fifth aspect of the invention provides a support for one or more optical fibre splice Ul y,dlli 't~, which ~Ull ~
(a) a first guide means to guide optical fibres which are spliced within the, or one of the, splice Ul~ which, in use, are supported by the support; and (b) a second g ude means to g ude optical fibres which are not spliced within any of the splice u. E~ which, in use, are supported by the support.
The fifth aspect of the invention has the advantage that the optical fibres entering a dosure may be divided into those fibres which are spliced in the closure and those fibres which are not spliced in the closure. These two groups of fibres, which are normally carried in tubes, may, by means of the first and second g~ude means, be kept separate in a simple and effective way, generally leading to improved access to both groups of fibres and reduced craft ~ iViLy of the closure.
The first guide means may, for example, comprise the one or more retaining members of the preferred organizer supports of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention, and the second guide means may aA Ai h- n~ll y or all~ dLiv~ly comprise the one or more channels provided by the cooperation, where present, of the back to back organizer supports of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention.
21 856~4 wo ss/2ss7~ 7 r~ 72 A sixth aspect of the invention provides a support for one or more optical fibre splice (~ alU~ , which is provided with one or more rehining members to retain one or more optical fibres, the or each retaining member being arranged ~.lhstAnti llIy to surround the optical fibres and having a slit to allow the optical fibres to be pf~citifmPfi therein, wherein the slit is inclined to the direction in which the fibres extend, in use, when they are in a relaxed shte.
It was stated above that according to the first, second and third aspects of the invention, at least two organizer supports are, or can be located on the frame. Preferably, at least two of the organizer supports are~ or can be, located at sllhst~nh~lly the same Inn~ihlri;n~i position of the frame, and more ~l~r~ bly these comprise a pair that are arranged back to back. According to a particularly preferred f~mhoflimf~nt, one or more ~fi~iihfmsll organizer supports are, or can be located at another i- m~ih~riin~l position on the frame More preferably, two or more pairs of orgarlizer supports are, or can be located on the frame, each pair being located at a different lfm~ihl~iin~
position on the frame. The invention may therefore, as already " ,~" 1 ,. .".,ilprovide a modular system for arranging optical fibre splice ~JlE;flU'e:l~ in a closure. For example, the apparatus of the first aspect of the inYention may be supplied in the form of a frame having one or a plurality of pairs of organizer supports located thereon, lfm~ihl~iin~lly spaced along the frame.
The customer may therefore purchase apparatus supplied with the requisite number of organizer supports to meet his present needs, or he may purchase apparatus having a greater number of organizer supports than needed at the time of purchase but which may be needed and used at a later date, for example as ~firiitif)n~l cables are spliced in the closure. AlLt~ alively, the customer may purchase a kit of parts according to the third or fourth aspects of the invention and may himself assemble the apparatus from the kit, using as many or as few organizer supports as are required. r u ~ u~ t:, the customer may purchase organizer supports ~cu~Lt:ly from the frame of the apparatus or the kit, and may add such supports to the frame as and when they are needed Preferably, each organizer support is separable, in use, from the frame.
More preferably, the organizer supports are a snap-fit or a push-fit on the frame, and it is preferred that they may be removed from the frame simply by 0 95/25978 8 ~ 72 0 pulling them off the frame or by pu~ling pairs of the Ul~ apart.
Anûther preferred method of A 11~ of the organizer supports to the frame is to slide them ûnto and along the frame. More preferably, the organizer supports may be slidable along the frame from one position to another. In one preferred ~ o~ l, the organizer supports are provided integrally in pairs, ûr pre-AcsPmhlP~ to form pairs, each pair having a central channel through which the frame may extend, each pair being slid onto the frame to complete the apparatus.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the frame comprises means for locating at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports thereon.The means, which may also adv,..~ . .ly be provided according to the first; second and third aspects of the mvention, preferab~y comprise one or more inrlPntAtinnc in, or ~1 u~- u~iu.,s on, the frame which may be located with, l ~e.Li v~ly, one or more ~l ULl u~ s on, or intlPn tAtinnc in, each organizer support. Preferably, the means sllhst~ntlA~Iy prevent accidental sliding of the organizer supports along the frame.
Preferably, the frame comprises a single elongate member, for example in the form of a rod or a bar. AdvAntAgPmlcly, the fra~ne may be so shaped as to prevent rotational movement of the organizer supports with respect to the frame. This may, for example, be achieved by the frame having a non-circular cross-section, e.g. a polygonal, especially square, cross-section.
According to a further preferred PmhoflimPnt of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention, the frame is attached to, or is integral with, an AttArhmPnt member which can attach the frame to the housing of the optical fibre splice closure. Preferably, the Att~rhmr-nt member is located sllh5t~ntiAIIy at one end of the frame. For example, when the closure comprises an in-line splice closure, an AttArhmPnt member may be provided at each end of the frame. It is generally preferred, however, for the dosure to comprise a butt splice closure, in which case there is ~.er~.bly only one AttArhmPnt member, located at one end of the frame. The AttArhmPnt member may, in use, advantageously transmit a axial forces acting on the cable to the housing. Preferably, therefore, the AttArhmPnt member has one or more first parts for ~ttA~'hmPnt to a cable and a second part for AttArhm~nt to the housing. The second part of the AttArhmpn t member is preferably woss/2ss78 9 ~ .. . s 172 arr2nged to cooperate with the housing substantially to prevent rotational movement of the ,. ~ l member with respect to the housing due to torsional forces on the cables. For example, the Ah A~hmPnt member may be provided with one or more prohrusions or in riPn t~ h nn~ in the housing to prevent sudh rotational lllUV~lll~LL. Preferably, the frame is elongate and the ~ht~hmPnt member extends perpendicularly, preferably radially, from the frame.
As mdicated above, the splice dosure according to the second aspect of the invention ~r~ ly comprises a butt splice closure, and more preferably the housing comprises a base, through which one or more cables may extend, and a cover for the base. Preferably, when the splice closure includes an ,.. 1. " .-1 1 1 member as described above, the AttArhm Pnt member is arranged to be attached to the housing by being trapped between the base and the cover of the housing.
The AttA~hmPnt member, in use, ~u~cr~l~ly allows s11hstAnhA11y radial UIVV~ Ule~ of the cable that is attached to its first (cable AttA~hmPn t) part. This has an ~iVdllL~ in that the cable can generally move to the radial position in which it is under the least strain, shrain which may arise due to pressure of sealing material around the cable. Arlfiiht~nA11y, allowing radial IllVV~llU~ ofthecablemayenable'centering'(i.e.correctradialpncil,..";..~)ofcables regardlessoftheirdiameter. ThefirstpartoftheAhtA~hmPntmember bly comprises a cable damp, for example in the form of a hose clamp or a Jubilee Clip (Trade Mark). The second part of the AhtA~hmPnt member preferably has one or more ~11hct~nhA11y radially extending slots within which the first parts (e.g. cable clamps) may slide. Eadh pair of slots and clamps will in general have an interengaging prohrusion and recess to prevent or to reshrict relative axial movement, and one or both of each ~.uL. U:liUII and recess generally extends in a radial direction in order that the inter~n~A~m~n t may be ., .~; . . 1 ~; "~.1 over the desired relative radial ~vv~ L. Preferably, the walls of the slots have rails which mate with dhannels in the damps, but the conhrary may be the case.
Preferably, the ~ttA~hm~nt member according to the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention comprises means (c) of the cable sealing device disclosed in International Patent Application No. W093/26070 2 1 8~684 wo ss/2sg78 10 l ~ 72 (Raychem B226), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The splice closure according to the second aspect of the invention is preferably provided with sealing material for sealing the dQsure against moisture ingress. When the housing of the splice closure comprises a base and a cover, the sealing material is preferably received within the base. The sealing material, which may for example comprise gel, is preferably provided as part of a sealing device comprising means for axially U~ iLlg the sealing material, rr~mrnC;n~ two ull~ul~ g portions between which the sealing material is located, and means for driving the two ~ULLl~lL~ g portions towards one another. One or more cable ports are ~l, r~,~,bly provided in the sealing device to allow cables to extend therethrough into the closure. Cull-~l~aillg the sealing material ~ r~dbly urges it into sealing contact wi.h the cables extending LlLL-l~Lliluu~,li and also into sealing contact with the housing, preferably the base of the housing. The two end Ulll~lL-~illg portions of the sealing device may adv~nt~r~llcly be moved towards one another by means of a bolt or the like extending through the end parts and the sealing material. A preferred form of sealing device is that disclosed in International Patent Application No. WO90/05401 (Raychem B161), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The sealing material according to the invention may, for example, comprise mastic or grease, especially a highly viscous grease such as a silicone grease. Preferably, however, the sealing material comprises gel.
The gel may, for example, comprise silicone gel, urea gel, urethane gel, or any suitable gel or gelloid sealing material. Preferred gels comprise oil -extended polymer compositions. Preferably the gel has a hardness at room L~ LI-~L-l,LLu~t: as ,l~tr-rminr-d using a Stevens-Volland Texture Analyser of greater than 45g, particularly greater than 50g especially greater than 55g, e.g.
between 55g and 60g. It preferably has a stress-relaxation less than 12%, particularly less than 10% and especially less than 8%. Ultimate r-lnn~7~tinn, also at room Lt ll~p- lCL~Ul~, is preferably greater than 60%, especially greater than 1000%, particularly greater than 1400%, as ~etr-rrninr-~l according to ASTM D638. Tensile modulus at 100% strain is ~ bly at least 1.8, more preferably at least 2.2 MPa. In general ~ull~ iL~ll set will be ~ess than 35%, 2 1 856~4 WO 95/25978 1 1 r~ 1/~D~r, ~ 172 especially less than 25%. Preferably, the gel has a cone penetration as measured by ASTM D217 of at least 50 (10-1mm), more preferably at least 100 (1 0-1mm), even more ~l er, ~bly at least 200 (10-1mm) and ~ rc ~ dbly no greater than 400 (10-1mm), especially no greater than 350 (10-1mm).
The polymer ull-pusiLiulL may for example comprise an elastomer, or a block copolymer having relatively hard blocks and relatively Pl~ctnrnPriL-blocks. Examples of such copolymers include styrene-diene block copolymers, for example styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene diblock or triblock copolymers, or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymers as disclosed in i., ~ "~ l patent publication number W088/00603. Preferably, however, the polymer ..."l~ ;l;.... comprises one or more styrene-ethylene-~.uuyl~:.,e-styrene block ~u~oly~l~cl~, for example as sold under the Trade Mark 'Septon' by Kuraray of Japan. Septon 2006 is a particularly preferred grade. The extender liquids employed in the gel l,.trtl~ly comprise oils ~u-~vt:l~Liul~ally used to extend .~ materials.
The oils may be hydrocarbon oils, for example paraffinic or n~rhthPni~ oils, synthectic oils for example polybutene or poly~u.u,u~l,e oils, and mixtures thereof. The preferred oils are mixtures of non-aromatic paraffins and n~l.l.ll.~..i~l~y,llu~L,bul,oils. Thegelmaycontainknownadditivessuchas moisture scavengers (eg. Benzoyl chloride), ~ntiL Y;L~ntC~ pigments and fungicides.
The splice closure is ~. t r~ y also provided with a sealing member for forming a seal between two portions of the housing. For example, for Pmh~limPnt.c in which the housing comprises a base and a cover, a sealing member is preferably provided to form a seal between the base and the cover.
A preferred sealing member ~ c (a) a sealing material as described above, and (b) an Pl ~ctrlmPri ~ member.
The sealing material of the sealing member may, for example, comprise a gel as described above. The Pl~ctL mPri~ member may, for example, comprise a rubber material, such as nitrile rubber. The Pl~ctf~mPri~ member preferably comprises an O-rmg A preferred sealing member is that disclosed in TntPrn~ti~)n:ll Patent Application No PCT/GB93/01809 (Raychem B236) 21 856~
wo ss/2ss7s 12 ~ 72 All of the embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, u ith reference to the a~u~ udllyil~g drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to the first Pmho~limPnt of the invention;
Figure 2 shows SrhPmA~it AIly an apparatus according to the invention in ~ to a prior art dy~ Lu:~
Figure 3 shows a second form of apparatus according to the invention;
hgure 4 shows an optical fibre splice organizer support according to the invention;
Figure 5 shows several views of the frame of the apparatus shown in Figure 3;
hgure 6 shows several views of the AttArhmPnt member of the apparatus shown in Figure I and the apparatus shown in Figure3;
Figure 7 shows the apparatus of Figure 1, a sealing device and the base of a splice dosure housing;
Figure 8 shows the apparatus of Figure 7 from another angle;
igure 9 shows the apparatus of Figures 7 and 8 from another angie;
igure 10 shows an another form of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;
igure 11 shows s~hPmAtirAIIy yet another form of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;
wo ss/2ss7s 13 ~ D7~. J~ I72 Figure 12 shows crhPm~tir~lly a further form of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;
Figure 13 shows a detail of the apparahus shown in Figure 12;
Figure 14 shows the ~UllLyul~:llL parts of a housing of an optical fibre splice dosure according to the second aspect of the invention;
Figure 15 shows the housing of Figure 14, fully cdosed and sealed and having two optical fibre cables extending therein.
Figure 1, as stated abûve, shows an apparahus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. A frame 3 comprises a single elongate member in the form of a bar or rod, and located on the frame is a pair of optical fibresplice organizer supports 5 and an ~tt~rhmPnt member 7. The organizer supports 5, preferably formed from a plastics material, e.g. poly~.u,uylc~lle~
have been slid- or push- or snap- fitted onto the frame 3 and are arranged in a generally badc to bad~ manner at sl~hs~nti llly the same l~ position on the frame, i.e. at one end thereof. Eadh organizer support 5 is provided with four retaining members 9, for retaining optical fibre hubes I1, portions ofwhich are shown srhpm~hr~lly~ the hubes rf1nt~inin~ optical fibres which will be spliced in the U~ ~,G~ whidh will be stad~ed on the organizer supports.
Each retaining member 9 is arranged sllhst~nh~lly to surround the tubes 11 and is provided with a slit 13 indined to the direction in which the hubes extend, in use and as shown, when they are in a relaxed state. The hlbes are ~ùsiLiul-ed in the retaining members by bending them slightly so that they slot into the indined slits. The retaining members avoid the necessity of using ties to retain the hlbes. Also shown are two dhannels 15 formed by the ~uoy~l~Liull of the two organizer supports, for guiding tubes 19 r~\nt~inin~
optical fibres whidh are not to be spliced in the Ul y,.~ whidh will be stacked on the organizer supports. The dhannels are formed by lu~uje~Liul~s 17 provided by each organizer support, the ~.vj~.~iu..~ provided by one support being lr~n ~ih Tr in~lly spaced from the lu~uj~Liu~s provided by the other support along the channel, so that the tubes 19 can be positioned in the dhannels by bending them slightly. These dhannels provided by the 2 1 8568~
wogs/2ss78 14 r~ c~ ~72 projections, similarly to the retaining members, avoid the necessity of using ties or the like.
The ;~11.. ~ I,,, l.-,, t member 7, which is preferably formed form metal, e.g.
minillm, but which could be formed from plastics material, extends radially from one end of the frame 3. The A HA rh m~nt member is generally star-shaped, due to the fact that it is provided with a plurality, six in the apparatus shown, of slots 21 extending from the generally circular periphery of the A tt~rhmPnt member. Each slot can receive a first portion of the ~tt~rhm~nt member, in the form of a cable clamp 23, for clamping around an optical fibre cable. The cable clamp is slidably received within the slot, beingslidable generally radially as indicated by the double headed arrow. A cable may therefore have the cable clamp 23 damped around it and then the cable clamp may be slotted into one of the slots in the main (i.e. second) part of theAttArhmPnt member. The fact that the clamped cable is able to move radially allows correct radial alignment (or 'centering') with the splice u. ~ and can ensure that a good seal is formed with sealmg material in the splice closure. The periphery 25 of the Att~rhm~nt member is provided with a plurality of protrusions 27 which are arranged to engage recesses in a splice closure housing sllhst~ntiAlly to prevent rotational -IUV~ .lL of the A 11~ 1 member, and hence the entire apparatus, due to torsional forces acting on the cables.
2 1 8~68~
09512s978 15 r~ ;72 Figure 2 shows, ~h~nnAti~Ally, an apparatus 1 according to the invention and a prior art apparatus 29. In the prior art apparatus, all of the splice ul ~d~ a 31 are arranged in a single stack on a support 33. Tubes 35 carrying optical fibres are located under the stack of Ul ~dl~i4~1, and loop upwardly and into the Ul~dlli4~a. In order to gain access to a lowermost organi4er, e.g. indicated 37, it is necessary to lift all of the other Uly,dlli4~:1a~
and this will also disturb all of the tubes 35. In contrast, however, because the appa{atus of the present invention allows the Ul~dl i~la to be arranged in two stacks, one above the frame 43 and onebelow the frame, fewer ul~alli and tubes need to be disturbed in order to gain access to a particular orgdni4er. In addition, the tubes are better organi4ed in the apparatus according to the invention, since the tubes 41 which carry optical fibres which are spliced in the u. ~;dlli4C:l a are kept separate from the tubes 39 which carry optical fibres which are not spliced in the ul~dl~la. The supports for the ul~dl~i4~1a are shown ~rh.om~ti~Ally and are indicated 45.
Figure 3 shows a second forln of apparatus according to the invention, which is similar to the apparatus shown in Figure I but which has an A~ itifm;~l pair of splice uly,dl~i4t:la located on the frame and spaced apart from the first pair of uly,dlli4c:la Figure 4 shows an optical fibre organi4er support according to the invention, which is identical to the supports shown in figures I and 3. A
central channel 47 is provided on the underside of the support to enable the support to be push- or snap- fitted on the frame and/or slid onto and along the frame. A central opening 49 is provided in the support, for receiving a bolt or other elongate member dround which the ul ~dni4~l a may be located.
The splice Ul y,dlli4~la may therefor be stacked on the support such that the bolt or member extends through cooperating holes in the UlE,dlli4~1a, and the shck may be secured to the support by means of a nut threaded onto the bolt, for example. An A~ iLifinAl opening 51, spaced apart from the central opening, is for receiving a positioning pin The pOaiLiullillg pin also extends through the stack of Uly,dlli4~1~, and SllhStAn~iAIly prevents rohtional Illov~ llL of the uly~dlli4~la about the bolt. A bolt and a positioning pin are shown in Figure 7.
woss/2ss7s 16 I~ 72 Figure 5 shows the frame 3 of the apparatus shown in Figure 3. The frame comprises a single elongate member in the form of a bar or rod having a substantially square cross-section. The frame is provided with two ;nrl.~nt~tinnc 53, each of which can locate with a cooperating protruslon on theunderside of the organizer supports. This generally provides a simple way of correctly positioning the supports and s1lhst~nti~lly preventing the supports ~r~ n t~ lly sliding along the frame once they have been correctly pn~
Figure 6 shows several views of the ~ " ..-. . l member shown in figures I and 3.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 show three different views of the apparatus of Figure l, with a sealing device 55 and a base 57 of an optical fibre splice closure housing according to the second aspect of the invention. The sealing device 55 comprises two sllhst~nti~lly rigid ~Ulll~l~DDillg portions 58 between which sealing material 59, comprising gel, is located. The sealing device includes a central bolt (not shown) which can be turned by means of the elongate member 61, and which can drive the two ~U~ DDillg portions 58 towards each other, thereby ~UIIIlU~:DDi-lg the gel. The sealing device has six ports 63for receiving optical fibre cables extending into the splice dosure An optical fibre cable which is to be spliced in the splice closure may have a length of its outer jacketing stripped back to expose the optical fibres,or at least the tubes holding the optical fibres The cable may then have the cable clamp clamped around its outer jacket near the stripped end, and the clamp, rnnt~inin~ the cable, may be slotted into one of the slots 21 of the ~ttArhnn~nt member 7. The sealing device 55, which is hinged to open out, may then be placed around the cable, behind the att~rhnn~nt member, so that the cable extends through one of the ports 63. Additional cables may be added to the apparatus in the same way, and the optical fibres of the cables may be spliced and organized in Ul ~ . D which are stacked on the organizer supports 5. The earthing wires may be earthed by ~nnn~rtin~ them to the metal ~tt~rhnn~nt member 7, for example by bolting them thereto by means of bolts screwed into the holes 65 provided in the ~tt~rhnnPnt member.
When the splicing operation is complete, or even before it is complete, the sealingdevice~nnt~inin~thesplicedcablesmaybe~.ncil;....~s,~insidethebase 57 and the elongate member 61 may be turned in order to compress the gel 59 2 1 85~8~
w0 95/25978 17 ~ ,5 ~ ~ ~72 and force it laterally outwards into sealing contact with the inside of the baseand laterally inwards into sealing contact with the cables. The Rtt~rhmPnt member may be prcihrnP~I in contact with the nearest shown open end of the base, such that the protrusions ~7 arranged around the periphery of the t~hmPnt member are located in cooperating recesses 63 arranged around the open end of the base. As mPntir,nPd above, this interPn~PmPnt of protrusions and recesses serves to prevent accidental rohtional movement of the ~ " l member with respect to the housing due to torsional forces acting on the cables. A cover (not shown) may then be positioned over the - apparahls and fixed to the base, trapping the ~ht~hmPnt member between the base and the cover and thereby securing the apparahus to the housing An advantage of the invention is that the splice closure is re-enterable, that is to say that it may be opened up and re-closed, perhaps many times during its service life, in order to add or remove cables or splices etc. In order to ease the removal of the sealing device 55 from the base 57, a rope 67, or other suihble means, may be provided. The rope is attached to the nearest shown ~U~ bbillg portion 58 of the sealing device. Pulling on the rope tends to separate the two Ull-ul~bbilLg portions of the sealing device, and dueto the tackiness of the gel, which tends to adhere it to the ~ull~l~ bbillg portions of the sealing device, the gel will normally be stretched, thereby separating it from the inside of the base and easing the withdrawal of the sealing device from the base.
Figure 7 also shows the bolts (indicated 69) and the prcinr,nin~ pins (indicated 71) extending from the holes 49 and 51 in the organizer supports, described with reference to Figure 4.
~ r~rlihr~n~lly shown in Figure 7, and also in Figures 8 and 9, is an adaptor or port splitter 73 which may optionally be used with the sealing device. The port splitter has a similar construction to that of the sealing device, comprising two ~UllL~ bbillg portions located on opposite sides of a quantity of gel, and having one or more (e.g. three as shown in Figure 9) ports 75 extending th~ ul~ . The port splitter is insertable into a port 63 of the sealing device to form a seal between the sealing device and a drop fibre or a small diameter cable etc 21 ~5~8~
wo ss/2~ig78 18 r~ ;.s.~ ~ ~72 Figure 10 shows an apparatus according to the invention which is different to the apparatus shown in the preceding figures. The apparahls 77 comprises an elongate frame rl~mrrisin~ two generally parallel elongate members 79 formed from a single bent strip of metal. The frame is attached to an ~tt~rhm~nt member 81 which is substantially the same. as the tA( hm~nt member 7 described above. A sealing device 55, identical to that described above, is also shown.
Two stacks of optical fibre splice UI~CUIi7~:7 83 are ahtached to the underside of the frame by means of organizer supports 85. Two further stacks of U~ located in organizer supports are shown separated from the top side of the frame, the downwardly pointing arrows indicating that the supports (~r~nt~inin~ the Ul~ may be located on the frame. The organizer supports may be attached to the frame by detent means 87 engaging with slots 89 in the frame.
Tubes 91 f~)nt~inin~ optical fibres, shown srh~m~hr~lly, are arranged on the apparahus in a looping fashion. Tubes ~ . ." l ~; ",, .~ optical fibres which are not spliced in the ul ~ are guided around the apparahus by means of the frame, and hubes ~ optical fibres which are spliced in the U~ l are guided by means of organizer supports, through guide means in the form of channels 93 extending along the sides of the organizer supports.
Figure 11 shows, s. l ~ ,.lly, yet another from of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. Looped tubes 95 ~r)nt~inin~ un-spliced optical fibres are shown guided between the organizer supports 99 and looped tubes 97 ~ont~inin~ spliced optical fibres are shown guided by channels 101 along the sides of the organizer supports.
Figure 12 shows a further form of apparatus according to the invention. In this forrn of apparatus, the organizer supports 107 are formed integrally in pairs (shown more clearly in Figure 13) and are slid onto the frame, the frame comprising a single elongate member of square cross-section. Tubes 103 holding un-spliced optical fibres are guided along channels formed between the organizer supports and tubes 105 holding spliced optical fibres are guided by means of ties IO9 which are looped 2 1 856~
woss/2597s 19 r~l, ,,sc~ ~72 through slots 111 in the organizer supports. The ties 109 also serve to retain the tubes 103 in the channels between the organizer supports.
Figure 13 shows an integral pair of organizer supports of the kind shown in Figure 12. Also shown is a bolt 113 and a positioning pin 115 mounted on a plate 117, which plate may be slidably received in the organizer support as indicated by the arrow.
Figure 14 shows the .u...iuu.u:..l parts of a housing ûf a splice closure according to the second aspect of the invention. The housing comprises a base 57 (as shown in figures 7 to 10), a cover 119, a damping device 121 for damping together the cover and the base, and a O ring 123 for forming an ~:lLvi~ lL~l seal between the cover and the base.
Figure 15 shows the housing of Figure 14, fully dosed and sealed and having two optical fibre cables 125 extending therein. Also shown is the elongate member 61 shown in figures 7 to 10, for ~u~ u. ~a~illg the gel of the sealing device located in the base of the cover.
United States Patent No. 5042901 discloses a v~/aL~ l;gl~L fibre optic splice dosure having a passage in an end wall whidh is dosed by a plug. A
prr-rnnn~rtr-cl optical connector sleeve is mounted to be accessible from the passage, so that an outside optical fibre may be connected to a drop fibre without ~ the closure. The splice dosure comprises an exterior cylindrical shell and disc-shaped end walls. Rectangular metal supporting bars provide internal support and grounding, and a splice tray is mounted on one of the supporting bars.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice i2,~1~ in a dosure, rnmrricin~
(a) a frame; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports located on the frame;
wherein each organizer support is arranged to support a stack of u~
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an optical fibre splice closure, ~u~
(a) apparatus aording to the first aspect of the invention; and (b) a housing to endose the apparatus.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice organizers in a dosure, rnmrricin~
(a) a frame, at least part of which is elongate; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports;
wherein eadh organizer support can be attadhed to the frame and can support a stack of ~lly,al~ so that the stack extends laterally, ~ r~ly 2 1 8568~
-_ wossl2ss78 3 r~ 72 sl1hs~n~i~11y perpendicularly, with respect to the frame or at ~east that part of the frame which is elongate.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for arranging one or more stad~s of optical fibre splice u. ~d~ . a in a dosure, comprising:
(a) a frame, at least part of which is elongate, the frame rr~mrricin~
means for locating at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports thereon; and (b) at least one optical fibre splice organizer support; wherein the or eadh organizer support can he attadhed to the frame and can support a stack of u~dl~a so that the stack extends laterally"u,~f~:,dbly ~ " l i~lly perpendicularly, with respect to the frame or at least that part of the frame which is elongate.
Any or all of the preferred features described below may comprise preferred features of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the invention.
The term 'frame' as used herein is intended generally to have its normal or plain meaning, and generally exdudes merely a housing of a dosure, as such. The term 'organizer' as used herein generally indudes trays, cassettes or the like and any other artide for holding, Ul ~;dl~i ,i--g or ~rrrlmm~ tin~ optical fibre splices and/or splitters and the like. A 'stack' of such u- ~;dlli~t~l a may, in some embodiments of the invention, comprise only one organizer, but it is preferred that a stack oomprises a plurality of Ul~;dl~:.a, normally arranged one on top of another.
The apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the optical fibre splice dosure according to the second aspect of the invention and the kit of parts according to the third aspect of the invention have an advantage in that, because at least two organizer supports are provided, and therefore at Ieast two stadks of optical fibre splice Ul~;dl~ la (referred to herein as 'UL~ la') may be arranged in the dosure, the ~rl~ccihilily of eadh organizer may be improved in ~ l ;c;- .. . to dosures in which the Ul~;dl~a are arranged in only one stack. This is because, when ul~ la are arranged in a stadk, it is normally necessary to lift off the "~ lllosL
u~d~ ~a in order to gain access to the lowermost organizers, for example, wo 9s/2~978 4 r~l ~. . 172 0 and for a given number of Uly,dlli~ in a closure, the number of V~
which need to be lifted off a lower organizer (or at least disturbed in some way) in order to gain access to the lower organizer may be atleast halved when the v. yjdlli~ l are arranged in only one shck. The invention may not only reduce the degree of skill and training required by field operatives who need to access the Ul~;al~ 7 (often referred to as 'craft ~ iLiviLy') and the length of time needed in order to gain such access, but it may also reduce the likelihood of damage or ~ of the optical fibres and splices.
An advantage of the kit of parts according to the fourth aSpect of the invention is that the kit may be used to arrange just one stack of organizers ina splice closure but with the possibility of adding extra organizer supports to the frame, and hence extra stacks of vl~.lr~l l later. This aspect, and indeed all aspects, of the invention, has the benefit of modularity, i.e. that stacks of Ul ~lllli 't:l ~ may normally be added to, and removed from, the frame as and when required, according to the number of optical fibre splices which need to be R. ~nmmn~l~tp,l In the kits of parts according to the third and fourth aspect of the invention, and according to a preferred PmhoflimPnt of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, at least part of the frame is elongate and each organizer support is arranged to, or can, support a stack of Vl~ l SO that the stack extends laterally, preferably suhst~nti~lly perpPn~ rly, with respect to the frame or at least with respect that part of the frame which is elongate. In a preferred PmhorlimPnt of the second aspect of the invention, both the frame and the housing are elongate, the frame being arranged to extend lr)n~ihlAin~lly within the housing. These aspects of the invention have an advantage in that optical fibres extending into the closure may normally be routed in a straight forward manner to their respective vl~alli~, especially when, for example, the frame extends in 5llhst~nti~lly the same direction as that in which the cables extend as they enter the splice closure. In addition, when the fra~ne is elongate Afl~litit~n~l organizer supports may often be added to the frame along its length, thereby providing modularity.
Preferably, at least one of the organizer supports is, or can be, oriented dirr~l~ l.Lly with respect to the frame than at least one of the other organizer 2 1 8568~
woss/2ss78 5 ~ C l72 supports, and is, or can be, thereby arranged to support a stack of U~;
which extends in a different direchon to that supported by the or earh other organizer support. This has an advantage in that it may provide optimum, or at least effective, utilisation of the space within the dosure while at the sametime dividing the ul~L.i~.-.a into a plurality of stacks (rather than having them arranged in a single stad~) and therefore also obtaining the first mPnhnnr-r~ advantage above, namely improved ~rrrcc;hility to each organizer. More ,ul~t~ bly, the, or at least two of the, organizer supports are,or can be, located at 5--hst~nhi~lly the same Inn~ihlAin~l position on the frame.
This also has the advantage of effective utilisation of space.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a pair of organizer supports are located, or locatable, at sl1hst~nti~lly the same Inn~ihlrlin~l position on the frame, each being arranged to support a stadk of u.~,c....~ which extends in the opposite direction to that supported by the other organizer support. This preferred stacking arrangement may be thought of as producing a single stack which is divided into two separate stacks, one on each side of the frame, and it therefore provides the advantages ..,.-,,1;...~r,.I above associated withreducing the number of Ul~,dLL12L-l~ in any given stack. Preferably, the organizer supports of the pair are arranged back to back, for example so that the supports are in contact with each other or so that they are separated only slightly, with the frame extending between them.
Adv~nt~en--cly, organizer supports of the invention which are arranged, or which can be arranged, back to back may co-operate to provide one or more channels to guide one or more optical fibres, preferably in one or more tubes, extending, in use, into the closure. Preferably, the, or at least one of the channels is formed, at least in part, by one or more projections provided by one organizer support are lnngihlr~in~lly spaced from the projection(s) provided by the other organizer support along the channel. The provision of one or more such channels by the Ll~ULU~ LrLiUlL of organizer supports may, for example, eliminate the need to provide guiding means on the frame andtor on the the housing of the dosure. This may simplify, and hence reduce the cost of, the . ~ l r," ~ process, parùcularly when, for example, the organizer supports are formed from moulded plastics material.
Preferably, the, or at least one of the, channels is arranged to g~ude optical fibres whidh are not spliced within the dosure.
... . . . .. . _ .... ..... . ........ . . .. ..
W0 9512~978 6 r~ 72 0 ~ AAihon~lly or alternatively, at least one of the organizer supports is provided with one or more retaining members arranged to retain one or more optical fibres, preferably in one or more hubes, which, in use, are spliced in at least one optical fibre splice orgar~izer supported by the said organizer support. Preferably, the or each retairling member is arranged s11hst~ntiAlly to surround the optical fibres (or the hube(s) holding the optical fibres) and has a slit to allow the optical fibres to be positioned therein, and more preferably, the slit is inclined to the direction in which the fibres extend, inuse, when they are in a relaxed state.
Preferred Pml~o~ , of the organizer supports of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention are novel per se, and ac.u. di~,ly, a fifth aspect of the invention provides a support for one or more optical fibre splice Ul y,dlli 't~, which ~Ull ~
(a) a first guide means to guide optical fibres which are spliced within the, or one of the, splice Ul~ which, in use, are supported by the support; and (b) a second g ude means to g ude optical fibres which are not spliced within any of the splice u. E~ which, in use, are supported by the support.
The fifth aspect of the invention has the advantage that the optical fibres entering a dosure may be divided into those fibres which are spliced in the closure and those fibres which are not spliced in the closure. These two groups of fibres, which are normally carried in tubes, may, by means of the first and second g~ude means, be kept separate in a simple and effective way, generally leading to improved access to both groups of fibres and reduced craft ~ iViLy of the closure.
The first guide means may, for example, comprise the one or more retaining members of the preferred organizer supports of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention, and the second guide means may aA Ai h- n~ll y or all~ dLiv~ly comprise the one or more channels provided by the cooperation, where present, of the back to back organizer supports of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention.
21 856~4 wo ss/2ss7~ 7 r~ 72 A sixth aspect of the invention provides a support for one or more optical fibre splice (~ alU~ , which is provided with one or more rehining members to retain one or more optical fibres, the or each retaining member being arranged ~.lhstAnti llIy to surround the optical fibres and having a slit to allow the optical fibres to be pf~citifmPfi therein, wherein the slit is inclined to the direction in which the fibres extend, in use, when they are in a relaxed shte.
It was stated above that according to the first, second and third aspects of the invention, at least two organizer supports are, or can be located on the frame. Preferably, at least two of the organizer supports are~ or can be, located at sllhst~nh~lly the same Inn~ihlri;n~i position of the frame, and more ~l~r~ bly these comprise a pair that are arranged back to back. According to a particularly preferred f~mhoflimf~nt, one or more ~fi~iihfmsll organizer supports are, or can be located at another i- m~ih~riin~l position on the frame More preferably, two or more pairs of orgarlizer supports are, or can be located on the frame, each pair being located at a different lfm~ihl~iin~
position on the frame. The invention may therefore, as already " ,~" 1 ,. .".,ilprovide a modular system for arranging optical fibre splice ~JlE;flU'e:l~ in a closure. For example, the apparatus of the first aspect of the inYention may be supplied in the form of a frame having one or a plurality of pairs of organizer supports located thereon, lfm~ihl~iin~lly spaced along the frame.
The customer may therefore purchase apparatus supplied with the requisite number of organizer supports to meet his present needs, or he may purchase apparatus having a greater number of organizer supports than needed at the time of purchase but which may be needed and used at a later date, for example as ~firiitif)n~l cables are spliced in the closure. AlLt~ alively, the customer may purchase a kit of parts according to the third or fourth aspects of the invention and may himself assemble the apparatus from the kit, using as many or as few organizer supports as are required. r u ~ u~ t:, the customer may purchase organizer supports ~cu~Lt:ly from the frame of the apparatus or the kit, and may add such supports to the frame as and when they are needed Preferably, each organizer support is separable, in use, from the frame.
More preferably, the organizer supports are a snap-fit or a push-fit on the frame, and it is preferred that they may be removed from the frame simply by 0 95/25978 8 ~ 72 0 pulling them off the frame or by pu~ling pairs of the Ul~ apart.
Anûther preferred method of A 11~ of the organizer supports to the frame is to slide them ûnto and along the frame. More preferably, the organizer supports may be slidable along the frame from one position to another. In one preferred ~ o~ l, the organizer supports are provided integrally in pairs, ûr pre-AcsPmhlP~ to form pairs, each pair having a central channel through which the frame may extend, each pair being slid onto the frame to complete the apparatus.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the frame comprises means for locating at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports thereon.The means, which may also adv,..~ . .ly be provided according to the first; second and third aspects of the mvention, preferab~y comprise one or more inrlPntAtinnc in, or ~1 u~- u~iu.,s on, the frame which may be located with, l ~e.Li v~ly, one or more ~l ULl u~ s on, or intlPn tAtinnc in, each organizer support. Preferably, the means sllhst~ntlA~Iy prevent accidental sliding of the organizer supports along the frame.
Preferably, the frame comprises a single elongate member, for example in the form of a rod or a bar. AdvAntAgPmlcly, the fra~ne may be so shaped as to prevent rotational movement of the organizer supports with respect to the frame. This may, for example, be achieved by the frame having a non-circular cross-section, e.g. a polygonal, especially square, cross-section.
According to a further preferred PmhoflimPnt of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention, the frame is attached to, or is integral with, an AttArhmPnt member which can attach the frame to the housing of the optical fibre splice closure. Preferably, the Att~rhmr-nt member is located sllh5t~ntiAIIy at one end of the frame. For example, when the closure comprises an in-line splice closure, an AttArhmPnt member may be provided at each end of the frame. It is generally preferred, however, for the dosure to comprise a butt splice closure, in which case there is ~.er~.bly only one AttArhmPnt member, located at one end of the frame. The AttArhmPnt member may, in use, advantageously transmit a axial forces acting on the cable to the housing. Preferably, therefore, the AttArhmPnt member has one or more first parts for ~ttA~'hmPnt to a cable and a second part for AttArhm~nt to the housing. The second part of the AttArhmpn t member is preferably woss/2ss78 9 ~ .. . s 172 arr2nged to cooperate with the housing substantially to prevent rotational movement of the ,. ~ l member with respect to the housing due to torsional forces on the cables. For example, the Ah A~hmPnt member may be provided with one or more prohrusions or in riPn t~ h nn~ in the housing to prevent sudh rotational lllUV~lll~LL. Preferably, the frame is elongate and the ~ht~hmPnt member extends perpendicularly, preferably radially, from the frame.
As mdicated above, the splice dosure according to the second aspect of the invention ~r~ ly comprises a butt splice closure, and more preferably the housing comprises a base, through which one or more cables may extend, and a cover for the base. Preferably, when the splice closure includes an ,.. 1. " .-1 1 1 member as described above, the AttArhm Pnt member is arranged to be attached to the housing by being trapped between the base and the cover of the housing.
The AttA~hmPnt member, in use, ~u~cr~l~ly allows s11hstAnhA11y radial UIVV~ Ule~ of the cable that is attached to its first (cable AttA~hmPn t) part. This has an ~iVdllL~ in that the cable can generally move to the radial position in which it is under the least strain, shrain which may arise due to pressure of sealing material around the cable. Arlfiiht~nA11y, allowing radial IllVV~llU~ ofthecablemayenable'centering'(i.e.correctradialpncil,..";..~)ofcables regardlessoftheirdiameter. ThefirstpartoftheAhtA~hmPntmember bly comprises a cable damp, for example in the form of a hose clamp or a Jubilee Clip (Trade Mark). The second part of the AhtA~hmPnt member preferably has one or more ~11hct~nhA11y radially extending slots within which the first parts (e.g. cable clamps) may slide. Eadh pair of slots and clamps will in general have an interengaging prohrusion and recess to prevent or to reshrict relative axial movement, and one or both of each ~.uL. U:liUII and recess generally extends in a radial direction in order that the inter~n~A~m~n t may be ., .~; . . 1 ~; "~.1 over the desired relative radial ~vv~ L. Preferably, the walls of the slots have rails which mate with dhannels in the damps, but the conhrary may be the case.
Preferably, the ~ttA~hm~nt member according to the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention comprises means (c) of the cable sealing device disclosed in International Patent Application No. W093/26070 2 1 8~684 wo ss/2sg78 10 l ~ 72 (Raychem B226), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The splice closure according to the second aspect of the invention is preferably provided with sealing material for sealing the dQsure against moisture ingress. When the housing of the splice closure comprises a base and a cover, the sealing material is preferably received within the base. The sealing material, which may for example comprise gel, is preferably provided as part of a sealing device comprising means for axially U~ iLlg the sealing material, rr~mrnC;n~ two ull~ul~ g portions between which the sealing material is located, and means for driving the two ~ULLl~lL~ g portions towards one another. One or more cable ports are ~l, r~,~,bly provided in the sealing device to allow cables to extend therethrough into the closure. Cull-~l~aillg the sealing material ~ r~dbly urges it into sealing contact wi.h the cables extending LlLL-l~Lliluu~,li and also into sealing contact with the housing, preferably the base of the housing. The two end Ulll~lL-~illg portions of the sealing device may adv~nt~r~llcly be moved towards one another by means of a bolt or the like extending through the end parts and the sealing material. A preferred form of sealing device is that disclosed in International Patent Application No. WO90/05401 (Raychem B161), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The sealing material according to the invention may, for example, comprise mastic or grease, especially a highly viscous grease such as a silicone grease. Preferably, however, the sealing material comprises gel.
The gel may, for example, comprise silicone gel, urea gel, urethane gel, or any suitable gel or gelloid sealing material. Preferred gels comprise oil -extended polymer compositions. Preferably the gel has a hardness at room L~ LI-~L-l,LLu~t: as ,l~tr-rminr-d using a Stevens-Volland Texture Analyser of greater than 45g, particularly greater than 50g especially greater than 55g, e.g.
between 55g and 60g. It preferably has a stress-relaxation less than 12%, particularly less than 10% and especially less than 8%. Ultimate r-lnn~7~tinn, also at room Lt ll~p- lCL~Ul~, is preferably greater than 60%, especially greater than 1000%, particularly greater than 1400%, as ~etr-rrninr-~l according to ASTM D638. Tensile modulus at 100% strain is ~ bly at least 1.8, more preferably at least 2.2 MPa. In general ~ull~ iL~ll set will be ~ess than 35%, 2 1 856~4 WO 95/25978 1 1 r~ 1/~D~r, ~ 172 especially less than 25%. Preferably, the gel has a cone penetration as measured by ASTM D217 of at least 50 (10-1mm), more preferably at least 100 (1 0-1mm), even more ~l er, ~bly at least 200 (10-1mm) and ~ rc ~ dbly no greater than 400 (10-1mm), especially no greater than 350 (10-1mm).
The polymer ull-pusiLiulL may for example comprise an elastomer, or a block copolymer having relatively hard blocks and relatively Pl~ctnrnPriL-blocks. Examples of such copolymers include styrene-diene block copolymers, for example styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene diblock or triblock copolymers, or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymers as disclosed in i., ~ "~ l patent publication number W088/00603. Preferably, however, the polymer ..."l~ ;l;.... comprises one or more styrene-ethylene-~.uuyl~:.,e-styrene block ~u~oly~l~cl~, for example as sold under the Trade Mark 'Septon' by Kuraray of Japan. Septon 2006 is a particularly preferred grade. The extender liquids employed in the gel l,.trtl~ly comprise oils ~u-~vt:l~Liul~ally used to extend .~ materials.
The oils may be hydrocarbon oils, for example paraffinic or n~rhthPni~ oils, synthectic oils for example polybutene or poly~u.u,u~l,e oils, and mixtures thereof. The preferred oils are mixtures of non-aromatic paraffins and n~l.l.ll.~..i~l~y,llu~L,bul,oils. Thegelmaycontainknownadditivessuchas moisture scavengers (eg. Benzoyl chloride), ~ntiL Y;L~ntC~ pigments and fungicides.
The splice closure is ~. t r~ y also provided with a sealing member for forming a seal between two portions of the housing. For example, for Pmh~limPnt.c in which the housing comprises a base and a cover, a sealing member is preferably provided to form a seal between the base and the cover.
A preferred sealing member ~ c (a) a sealing material as described above, and (b) an Pl ~ctrlmPri ~ member.
The sealing material of the sealing member may, for example, comprise a gel as described above. The Pl~ctL mPri~ member may, for example, comprise a rubber material, such as nitrile rubber. The Pl~ctf~mPri~ member preferably comprises an O-rmg A preferred sealing member is that disclosed in TntPrn~ti~)n:ll Patent Application No PCT/GB93/01809 (Raychem B236) 21 856~
wo ss/2ss7s 12 ~ 72 All of the embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, u ith reference to the a~u~ udllyil~g drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to the first Pmho~limPnt of the invention;
Figure 2 shows SrhPmA~it AIly an apparatus according to the invention in ~ to a prior art dy~ Lu:~
Figure 3 shows a second form of apparatus according to the invention;
hgure 4 shows an optical fibre splice organizer support according to the invention;
Figure 5 shows several views of the frame of the apparatus shown in Figure 3;
hgure 6 shows several views of the AttArhmPnt member of the apparatus shown in Figure I and the apparatus shown in Figure3;
Figure 7 shows the apparatus of Figure 1, a sealing device and the base of a splice dosure housing;
Figure 8 shows the apparatus of Figure 7 from another angle;
igure 9 shows the apparatus of Figures 7 and 8 from another angie;
igure 10 shows an another form of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;
igure 11 shows s~hPmAtirAIIy yet another form of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;
wo ss/2ss7s 13 ~ D7~. J~ I72 Figure 12 shows crhPm~tir~lly a further form of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;
Figure 13 shows a detail of the apparahus shown in Figure 12;
Figure 14 shows the ~UllLyul~:llL parts of a housing of an optical fibre splice dosure according to the second aspect of the invention;
Figure 15 shows the housing of Figure 14, fully cdosed and sealed and having two optical fibre cables extending therein.
Figure 1, as stated abûve, shows an apparahus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. A frame 3 comprises a single elongate member in the form of a bar or rod, and located on the frame is a pair of optical fibresplice organizer supports 5 and an ~tt~rhmPnt member 7. The organizer supports 5, preferably formed from a plastics material, e.g. poly~.u,uylc~lle~
have been slid- or push- or snap- fitted onto the frame 3 and are arranged in a generally badc to bad~ manner at sl~hs~nti llly the same l~ position on the frame, i.e. at one end thereof. Eadh organizer support 5 is provided with four retaining members 9, for retaining optical fibre hubes I1, portions ofwhich are shown srhpm~hr~lly~ the hubes rf1nt~inin~ optical fibres which will be spliced in the U~ ~,G~ whidh will be stad~ed on the organizer supports.
Each retaining member 9 is arranged sllhst~nh~lly to surround the tubes 11 and is provided with a slit 13 indined to the direction in which the hubes extend, in use and as shown, when they are in a relaxed state. The hlbes are ~ùsiLiul-ed in the retaining members by bending them slightly so that they slot into the indined slits. The retaining members avoid the necessity of using ties to retain the hlbes. Also shown are two dhannels 15 formed by the ~uoy~l~Liull of the two organizer supports, for guiding tubes 19 r~\nt~inin~
optical fibres whidh are not to be spliced in the Ul y,.~ whidh will be stacked on the organizer supports. The dhannels are formed by lu~uje~Liul~s 17 provided by each organizer support, the ~.vj~.~iu..~ provided by one support being lr~n ~ih Tr in~lly spaced from the lu~uj~Liu~s provided by the other support along the channel, so that the tubes 19 can be positioned in the dhannels by bending them slightly. These dhannels provided by the 2 1 8568~
wogs/2ss78 14 r~ c~ ~72 projections, similarly to the retaining members, avoid the necessity of using ties or the like.
The ;~11.. ~ I,,, l.-,, t member 7, which is preferably formed form metal, e.g.
minillm, but which could be formed from plastics material, extends radially from one end of the frame 3. The A HA rh m~nt member is generally star-shaped, due to the fact that it is provided with a plurality, six in the apparatus shown, of slots 21 extending from the generally circular periphery of the A tt~rhmPnt member. Each slot can receive a first portion of the ~tt~rhm~nt member, in the form of a cable clamp 23, for clamping around an optical fibre cable. The cable clamp is slidably received within the slot, beingslidable generally radially as indicated by the double headed arrow. A cable may therefore have the cable clamp 23 damped around it and then the cable clamp may be slotted into one of the slots in the main (i.e. second) part of theAttArhmPnt member. The fact that the clamped cable is able to move radially allows correct radial alignment (or 'centering') with the splice u. ~ and can ensure that a good seal is formed with sealmg material in the splice closure. The periphery 25 of the Att~rhm~nt member is provided with a plurality of protrusions 27 which are arranged to engage recesses in a splice closure housing sllhst~ntiAlly to prevent rotational -IUV~ .lL of the A 11~ 1 member, and hence the entire apparatus, due to torsional forces acting on the cables.
2 1 8~68~
09512s978 15 r~ ;72 Figure 2 shows, ~h~nnAti~Ally, an apparatus 1 according to the invention and a prior art apparatus 29. In the prior art apparatus, all of the splice ul ~d~ a 31 are arranged in a single stack on a support 33. Tubes 35 carrying optical fibres are located under the stack of Ul ~dl~i4~1, and loop upwardly and into the Ul~dlli4~a. In order to gain access to a lowermost organi4er, e.g. indicated 37, it is necessary to lift all of the other Uly,dlli4~:1a~
and this will also disturb all of the tubes 35. In contrast, however, because the appa{atus of the present invention allows the Ul~dl i~la to be arranged in two stacks, one above the frame 43 and onebelow the frame, fewer ul~alli and tubes need to be disturbed in order to gain access to a particular orgdni4er. In addition, the tubes are better organi4ed in the apparatus according to the invention, since the tubes 41 which carry optical fibres which are spliced in the u. ~;dlli4C:l a are kept separate from the tubes 39 which carry optical fibres which are not spliced in the ul~dl~la. The supports for the ul~dl~i4~1a are shown ~rh.om~ti~Ally and are indicated 45.
Figure 3 shows a second forln of apparatus according to the invention, which is similar to the apparatus shown in Figure I but which has an A~ itifm;~l pair of splice uly,dl~i4t:la located on the frame and spaced apart from the first pair of uly,dlli4c:la Figure 4 shows an optical fibre organi4er support according to the invention, which is identical to the supports shown in figures I and 3. A
central channel 47 is provided on the underside of the support to enable the support to be push- or snap- fitted on the frame and/or slid onto and along the frame. A central opening 49 is provided in the support, for receiving a bolt or other elongate member dround which the ul ~dni4~l a may be located.
The splice Ul y,dlli4~la may therefor be stacked on the support such that the bolt or member extends through cooperating holes in the UlE,dlli4~1a, and the shck may be secured to the support by means of a nut threaded onto the bolt, for example. An A~ iLifinAl opening 51, spaced apart from the central opening, is for receiving a positioning pin The pOaiLiullillg pin also extends through the stack of Uly,dlli4~1~, and SllhStAn~iAIly prevents rohtional Illov~ llL of the uly~dlli4~la about the bolt. A bolt and a positioning pin are shown in Figure 7.
woss/2ss7s 16 I~ 72 Figure 5 shows the frame 3 of the apparatus shown in Figure 3. The frame comprises a single elongate member in the form of a bar or rod having a substantially square cross-section. The frame is provided with two ;nrl.~nt~tinnc 53, each of which can locate with a cooperating protruslon on theunderside of the organizer supports. This generally provides a simple way of correctly positioning the supports and s1lhst~nti~lly preventing the supports ~r~ n t~ lly sliding along the frame once they have been correctly pn~
Figure 6 shows several views of the ~ " ..-. . l member shown in figures I and 3.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 show three different views of the apparatus of Figure l, with a sealing device 55 and a base 57 of an optical fibre splice closure housing according to the second aspect of the invention. The sealing device 55 comprises two sllhst~nti~lly rigid ~Ulll~l~DDillg portions 58 between which sealing material 59, comprising gel, is located. The sealing device includes a central bolt (not shown) which can be turned by means of the elongate member 61, and which can drive the two ~U~ DDillg portions 58 towards each other, thereby ~UIIIlU~:DDi-lg the gel. The sealing device has six ports 63for receiving optical fibre cables extending into the splice dosure An optical fibre cable which is to be spliced in the splice closure may have a length of its outer jacketing stripped back to expose the optical fibres,or at least the tubes holding the optical fibres The cable may then have the cable clamp clamped around its outer jacket near the stripped end, and the clamp, rnnt~inin~ the cable, may be slotted into one of the slots 21 of the ~ttArhnn~nt member 7. The sealing device 55, which is hinged to open out, may then be placed around the cable, behind the att~rhnn~nt member, so that the cable extends through one of the ports 63. Additional cables may be added to the apparatus in the same way, and the optical fibres of the cables may be spliced and organized in Ul ~ . D which are stacked on the organizer supports 5. The earthing wires may be earthed by ~nnn~rtin~ them to the metal ~tt~rhnn~nt member 7, for example by bolting them thereto by means of bolts screwed into the holes 65 provided in the ~tt~rhnnPnt member.
When the splicing operation is complete, or even before it is complete, the sealingdevice~nnt~inin~thesplicedcablesmaybe~.ncil;....~s,~insidethebase 57 and the elongate member 61 may be turned in order to compress the gel 59 2 1 85~8~
w0 95/25978 17 ~ ,5 ~ ~ ~72 and force it laterally outwards into sealing contact with the inside of the baseand laterally inwards into sealing contact with the cables. The Rtt~rhmPnt member may be prcihrnP~I in contact with the nearest shown open end of the base, such that the protrusions ~7 arranged around the periphery of the t~hmPnt member are located in cooperating recesses 63 arranged around the open end of the base. As mPntir,nPd above, this interPn~PmPnt of protrusions and recesses serves to prevent accidental rohtional movement of the ~ " l member with respect to the housing due to torsional forces acting on the cables. A cover (not shown) may then be positioned over the - apparahls and fixed to the base, trapping the ~ht~hmPnt member between the base and the cover and thereby securing the apparahus to the housing An advantage of the invention is that the splice closure is re-enterable, that is to say that it may be opened up and re-closed, perhaps many times during its service life, in order to add or remove cables or splices etc. In order to ease the removal of the sealing device 55 from the base 57, a rope 67, or other suihble means, may be provided. The rope is attached to the nearest shown ~U~ bbillg portion 58 of the sealing device. Pulling on the rope tends to separate the two Ull-ul~bbilLg portions of the sealing device, and dueto the tackiness of the gel, which tends to adhere it to the ~ull~l~ bbillg portions of the sealing device, the gel will normally be stretched, thereby separating it from the inside of the base and easing the withdrawal of the sealing device from the base.
Figure 7 also shows the bolts (indicated 69) and the prcinr,nin~ pins (indicated 71) extending from the holes 49 and 51 in the organizer supports, described with reference to Figure 4.
~ r~rlihr~n~lly shown in Figure 7, and also in Figures 8 and 9, is an adaptor or port splitter 73 which may optionally be used with the sealing device. The port splitter has a similar construction to that of the sealing device, comprising two ~UllL~ bbillg portions located on opposite sides of a quantity of gel, and having one or more (e.g. three as shown in Figure 9) ports 75 extending th~ ul~ . The port splitter is insertable into a port 63 of the sealing device to form a seal between the sealing device and a drop fibre or a small diameter cable etc 21 ~5~8~
wo ss/2~ig78 18 r~ ;.s.~ ~ ~72 Figure 10 shows an apparatus according to the invention which is different to the apparatus shown in the preceding figures. The apparahls 77 comprises an elongate frame rl~mrrisin~ two generally parallel elongate members 79 formed from a single bent strip of metal. The frame is attached to an ~tt~rhm~nt member 81 which is substantially the same. as the tA( hm~nt member 7 described above. A sealing device 55, identical to that described above, is also shown.
Two stacks of optical fibre splice UI~CUIi7~:7 83 are ahtached to the underside of the frame by means of organizer supports 85. Two further stacks of U~ located in organizer supports are shown separated from the top side of the frame, the downwardly pointing arrows indicating that the supports (~r~nt~inin~ the Ul~ may be located on the frame. The organizer supports may be attached to the frame by detent means 87 engaging with slots 89 in the frame.
Tubes 91 f~)nt~inin~ optical fibres, shown srh~m~hr~lly, are arranged on the apparahus in a looping fashion. Tubes ~ . ." l ~; ",, .~ optical fibres which are not spliced in the ul ~ are guided around the apparahus by means of the frame, and hubes ~ optical fibres which are spliced in the U~ l are guided by means of organizer supports, through guide means in the form of channels 93 extending along the sides of the organizer supports.
Figure 11 shows, s. l ~ ,.lly, yet another from of apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. Looped tubes 95 ~r)nt~inin~ un-spliced optical fibres are shown guided between the organizer supports 99 and looped tubes 97 ~ont~inin~ spliced optical fibres are shown guided by channels 101 along the sides of the organizer supports.
Figure 12 shows a further form of apparatus according to the invention. In this forrn of apparatus, the organizer supports 107 are formed integrally in pairs (shown more clearly in Figure 13) and are slid onto the frame, the frame comprising a single elongate member of square cross-section. Tubes 103 holding un-spliced optical fibres are guided along channels formed between the organizer supports and tubes 105 holding spliced optical fibres are guided by means of ties IO9 which are looped 2 1 856~
woss/2597s 19 r~l, ,,sc~ ~72 through slots 111 in the organizer supports. The ties 109 also serve to retain the tubes 103 in the channels between the organizer supports.
Figure 13 shows an integral pair of organizer supports of the kind shown in Figure 12. Also shown is a bolt 113 and a positioning pin 115 mounted on a plate 117, which plate may be slidably received in the organizer support as indicated by the arrow.
Figure 14 shows the .u...iuu.u:..l parts of a housing ûf a splice closure according to the second aspect of the invention. The housing comprises a base 57 (as shown in figures 7 to 10), a cover 119, a damping device 121 for damping together the cover and the base, and a O ring 123 for forming an ~:lLvi~ lL~l seal between the cover and the base.
Figure 15 shows the housing of Figure 14, fully dosed and sealed and having two optical fibre cables 125 extending therein. Also shown is the elongate member 61 shown in figures 7 to 10, for ~u~ u. ~a~illg the gel of the sealing device located in the base of the cover.
Claims (38)
1. Apparatus for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice organizers in a closure, comprising:
(a) a frame; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports located on the frame;
wherein each organizer support is arranged to support a stack of organizers.
(a) a frame; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports located on the frame;
wherein each organizer support is arranged to support a stack of organizers.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the frame is elongate, and each organizer support is arranged to support a stack of organizers which extends laterally with respect to the frame or at least that part of the frame which is elongate.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the organizer supports is oriented differently with respect to the frame than at least one of the other organizer supports, and is thereby arranged to support a stack of organizers which extends in a different direction to that supported by the or each other organizer support.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the, or at least two of the, organizer supports are located at substantially the same longitudinal position on the frame.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a pair of organizer supports are located at substantially the same longitudinal position on the frame, each of which is arranged to support a stack of organizers which extends in the opposite direction to that supported by the other organizer support.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the organizer supports of the said pair are arranged back to back.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the back to back organizer supports co-operate to provide one or more channels to guide one or more optical fibres, preferably in one or more tubes, extending, in use, into the closure.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the, or at least one of the, channels is formed, at least in part, by one or more projections provided by each organizer support, the projection(s) provided by one organizer support being longitudinally spaced from the projection(s) provided by the other organizer support along the channel.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the, or at least one of the, channels is arranged to guide optical fibres which are not spliced within the closure.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, which further comprises one or more additional organizer supports located at another longitudinal position on the frame.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, which comprises two or more pairs of organizer supports, each pair located at a different longitudinal position onthe frame.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each organizer support is separable, in use, from the frame.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a single elongate member.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the organizer supports is provided with one or more retaining members arranged to retain one or more optical fibres, preferably in one or more tubes, which, in use, are spliced in at least one optical fibre splice organizer supported by the said organizer support.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the or each retaining member is arranged substantially to surround the optical fibres and has a slit to allow the optical fibres to be positioned therein, wherein the slit is inclined to the direction in which the fibres extend, in use, when they are in a relaxed state.
16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame is attached to, or is integral with, an attachment member which can attach the frame to a housing of an optical fibre splice closure.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the attachment member is located substantially at one end of the frame.
18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the attachment member comprises a cable clamp that can transmit an axial force on the cable to the housing.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the attachment member has a first part for attachment to a cable and a second part for attachment to the housing.
20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the attachment member allows substantially radial movement of the cable.
21. Apparatus according to claim 19, or claim 20 when dependent on claim 19, wherein the second part of the attachment member is arranged to cooperate with the housing substantially to prevent rotational movement of the attachment member with respect to the housing due to torsional forces on the cables.
22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the frame is elongate and the attachment member extends radially from the frame.
23. An optical fibre splice closure, comprising:
(a) apparatus according to any preceding claim; and (b) a housing to enclose the apparatus.
(a) apparatus according to any preceding claim; and (b) a housing to enclose the apparatus.
24. A splice closure according to claim 23, wherein both the frame of the apparatus and the housing are elongate, the frame being arranged to extend longitudinally within the housing.
25. A splice closure according to claim 23 or claim 24, comprising a butt splice closure, the housing comprising a base, through which one or more cables may extend, and a cover for the base.
26. A splice closure according to claim 25, having sealing material received within the base of the housing.
27. A splice closure according to claim 25 or claim 26, when dependent on any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the attachment member is arranged to be attached to the housing by being trapped between the base and the cover thereof.
28. A splice closure according claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the sealing material is provided with means for axially compressing it, comprising two compressing portions between which the sealing material is located and means for driving the two compressing portions towards one another.
29. A kit of parts for arranging a plurality of stacks of optical fibre splice organizers in a closure, comprising:
(a) a frame, at least part of which is elongate; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports;
wherein each organizer support can be attached to the frame and can support a stack of organizers so that the stack extends laterally with respect to the frame or at least that part of the frame which is elongate.
(a) a frame, at least part of which is elongate; and (b) at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports;
wherein each organizer support can be attached to the frame and can support a stack of organizers so that the stack extends laterally with respect to the frame or at least that part of the frame which is elongate.
30. A kit of parts for arranging one or more stacks of optical fibre splice in a closure, (a) a frame, at least part of which is elongate, the frame comprising means for locating at least two optical fibre splice organizer supports thereon; and (b) at least one optical fibre splice organizer support; wherein the or each organizer support can be attached to the frame and can support a stack of organizers so that the stack extends laterally, preferably substantially perpendicularly, with respect to the frame or at least that part of the frame which is elongate.
31. A kit of parts according to claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the frame and the optical fibre splice organizer support(s) comprise, respectively, a frame and organizer support(s) of an apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 22.
32. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 29 to 31, which further comprises a housing.
33. A kit of parts according to claim 32, wherein the housing comprises a housing of an optical splice closure according to any one of claims 23 to 28.
34. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 29 to 33, which further comprises an attachment member of an apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 22, or an attachment member of a splice closure according to claim 27.
35. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 29 to 34, which further comprises sealing material of a splice closure according to claim 26 or claim 28.
36. A support for one or more optical fibre splice organizers, which comprises:
(a) a first guide means to guide optical fibres which are spliced within the, or one of the, splice organizers which, in use, are supported by the support; and (b) a second guide means to guide optical fibres which are not spliced within any of the splice organizers which, in use, are supported by the support.
(a) a first guide means to guide optical fibres which are spliced within the, or one of the, splice organizers which, in use, are supported by the support; and (b) a second guide means to guide optical fibres which are not spliced within any of the splice organizers which, in use, are supported by the support.
37. A support for one or more optical fibre splice organizers, which is provided with one or more retaining members to retain one or more optical fibres, the or each retaining member being arranged substantially to surround the optical fibres and having a slit to allow the optical fibres to be positioned therein, wherein the slit is inclined to the direction in which the fibres extend, in use, when they are in a relaxed state.
38. Apparatus, a kit of parts, a splice closure, or a support according to any preceding claim, which additionally comprises one or more stacks of optical fibre splice organizers, the or each stack supported by an optical fibresplice organizer support.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9405535A GB9405535D0 (en) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-03-21 | Splice organizing apparatus |
| GB9405535.7 | 1994-03-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2185684A1 true CA2185684A1 (en) | 1995-09-28 |
Family
ID=10752233
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002185684A Abandoned CA2185684A1 (en) | 1994-03-21 | 1995-03-06 | Splice organizing apparatus |
Country Status (21)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5764844A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0752118B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH09510553A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1147304A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE181603T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1820795A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9507187A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2185684A1 (en) |
| CZ (1) | CZ256996A3 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69510449T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0752118T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2133744T3 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI963740A0 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9405535D0 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3030455T3 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUT76609A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO963958L (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ281307A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL176689B1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2145431C1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995025978A1 (en) |
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-
1994
- 1994-03-21 GB GB9405535A patent/GB9405535D0/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-03-06 RU RU96121392A patent/RU2145431C1/en active
- 1995-03-06 PL PL95316390A patent/PL176689B1/en unknown
- 1995-03-06 EP EP95909909A patent/EP0752118B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-03-06 DE DE69510449T patent/DE69510449T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-03-06 CN CN95192902.XA patent/CN1147304A/en active Pending
- 1995-03-06 WO PCT/GB1995/000472 patent/WO1995025978A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-03-06 HU HU9602574A patent/HUT76609A/en unknown
- 1995-03-06 AT AT95909909T patent/ATE181603T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-03-06 NZ NZ281307A patent/NZ281307A/en unknown
- 1995-03-06 AU AU18207/95A patent/AU1820795A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-03-06 CZ CZ962569A patent/CZ256996A3/en unknown
- 1995-03-06 BR BR9507187A patent/BR9507187A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-03-06 ES ES95909909T patent/ES2133744T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-03-06 DK DK95909909T patent/DK0752118T3/en active
- 1995-03-06 JP JP7524448A patent/JPH09510553A/en active Pending
- 1995-03-06 US US08/716,368 patent/US5764844A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-03-06 CA CA002185684A patent/CA2185684A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1996
- 1996-09-20 NO NO963958A patent/NO963958L/en unknown
- 1996-09-20 FI FI963740A patent/FI963740A0/en unknown
-
1999
- 1999-06-24 GR GR990400862T patent/GR3030455T3/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GR3030455T3 (en) | 1999-09-30 |
| JPH09510553A (en) | 1997-10-21 |
| US5764844A (en) | 1998-06-09 |
| HUT76609A (en) | 1997-10-28 |
| WO1995025978A1 (en) | 1995-09-28 |
| MX9604222A (en) | 1998-05-31 |
| PL176689B1 (en) | 1999-07-30 |
| ES2133744T3 (en) | 1999-09-16 |
| RU2145431C1 (en) | 2000-02-10 |
| CN1147304A (en) | 1997-04-09 |
| NO963958L (en) | 1996-11-20 |
| DE69510449T2 (en) | 2000-02-17 |
| ATE181603T1 (en) | 1999-07-15 |
| BR9507187A (en) | 1997-09-09 |
| NZ281307A (en) | 1998-06-26 |
| GB9405535D0 (en) | 1994-05-04 |
| PL316390A1 (en) | 1997-01-06 |
| AU1820795A (en) | 1995-10-09 |
| EP0752118A1 (en) | 1997-01-08 |
| NO963958D0 (en) | 1996-09-20 |
| FI963740A (en) | 1996-09-20 |
| FI963740A0 (en) | 1996-09-20 |
| CZ256996A3 (en) | 1997-05-14 |
| EP0752118B1 (en) | 1999-06-23 |
| DE69510449D1 (en) | 1999-07-29 |
| HU9602574D0 (en) | 1996-11-28 |
| DK0752118T3 (en) | 1999-11-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |